Epaphras #3
Antony had his bone marrow test and it is 90% clear which means the blood transfusion is working. He does have Epstein Barr Virus which is treatable. Our Heavenly Father is so good.
We packed so that Sunday after the evening service we can leave immediately following the evening service. I will send this early so you can remember to pray for us throughout the night as we drive South. All reports are we will have to drive through 8 to 10 hours of snow then sleet and then rain. I have to head south so we will just have to trust in the protection of the Lord.
Dottie & I ate dinner with David, Regina and their entire family. What a joyful family they have. It was wonderful. It has been a great time for us to be with them so much. Dottie and Pat went shopping while Fred and I studied. They have been such kind hosts for 8 days. That is a long time to have someone in their home.
Colossians 1:7 “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 9 ¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”
Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.”
Philemon 1:23 “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus”
We have seen that Epaphras was a faithful minister. His task was to make the Gospel understandable. A Gospel that does not result in changed lives is not the true Gospel. Epaphras was so faithful to teach diligently.
Today I want you to see that he was also a fellow servant. Col 4:12 says “for you” and “one of you”. Epaphras did not consider himself to be above or better than those he taught. He served Jesus to heir benefit and not for what he could gain. Paul says that Epaphras gave a good report about his congregation. He did not criticize them or try to make them look bad. He dwelt on the positive.
I believe that Epaphras could be considered a good missionary. He had the most important quality for a missionary—HE CARED!! After 25 years in Guatemala I can tell you there have been those who came “to help” who cared only about themselves or their families or their recognition. They were there for their benefit and not to benefit the children.
When we as Christians are “one of you” with those we minister to it means that we know their circumstances and their conflicts as well as their feelings and their hearts. Jesus KNEW our faults and failures and yet He loved us and died for us. He was never ABOVE us. He was “one of us” as He came to earth to save us.
A servant is someone who is bought with a price and is therefore owned by his master. Giving is a problem for some people because they see everything God gives to them as theirs. But as servants we own nothing! God owns it all—lends it to us for while—and ask for it when it is necessary.
Stay tuned